Does Anyone Still Use Power Tools?

I need to still use power tools for work sometimes... anyone had any problems with muffs on?

 

You will likely be fine. But try it and understand your tolerance

 

I use them every once in a while. No issue so far.

 

Depends on the tool. Some are okay, others still give me problems even with ear protection. I recently was around someone using an impact gun to take out lug screws from a shipping crate (new equipment commissioning). I wanted to lend a hand and help, but it was too loud for me even with protection.

 

You can always double your protection using muffs and plugs together.

 

That doesn't actually double your protection. It adds about 5dB of protection vs wearing just one method. For low-frequency sounds, it's less.

 

Yeah. I was wondering about this also. I'm a woodworker that needs to get back to work but I've been trying to figure something else out. Tools that scream like a router, chopbox or as @Alue mentioned an impact wrench would give me serious pause.

 

@Canadaman Can you explain why it doesn’t double your protection. You would think plugs and earmuff do double up . Thanks.

 

I used foams, muffs and both together. I don't know if the +5db extra protection is from a study or not, but when I use both it sure *feels* like I get a lot more protection than only 5db.
I always wear protection (usualy muffs) now when using any power tool, air compressor, even a vacuum!

 

With hearing protection of course. I also use the whipper snipper and mow using ear muffs.

 

These hearing protection methods do not protect you from the sound you get exposed to as a result of bone conduction.
Check out
https://www.coopersafety.com/earplugs-noise-reduction
"How does wearing dual hearing protectors change NRR?"
and
https://multimedia.3m.com/mws/media...how-to-use-the-noise-reduction-rating-nrr.pdf
http://www.sensear.com/blog/noise-reduction-rating-nrr-a-beginner’s-guide
https://www.earsandears.com/noise-reduction-ratings-nrr-safe-noise-levels/

 

@Bill Bauer I see so of we have 30 dB plugs subtract 7 =23 /2 =11.5db . Double will be 11.5 +5 = 16.5 total . So if we are exposed to 120 DB noise , we may think we are good but in reality we still expose to 103.5 dB . Even with double protection. Am I correct here ?

 

I hope that that formula (subtract 7 and divide the remainder by 2) gives us the lowest possible noise reduction and that the actual protection is still closer to the one that they advertise on the product. In other words, I believe that this formula gives us a conservative estimate. But this is the reason why I would not choose to go to a loud event while wearing hearing protection - it might not be enough.

 

Yeah, it feels that way to me too. Earmuffs seem to add significant protection over plugs alone. Also, if the plugs are not in perfectly (deep insertion, zero air gap) then you wont get anywhere close to 30db protection from them. There should be a slight pressure when the plug is gently pulled outward. That's how you know there's a seal.

 

Yeah, putting foams in correctly is the key. Once you get the hang of it, it's easy, but not getting them in correct won't give you anywhere near the protection

 

I need to continue to work with power tools and use a good quality pair of ear muffs, with plugs for the high pitch tools.

 

So want to make a crude pun on this..... but I won’t haha wish I could help but DIY and me don’t go together. I’m sure with the right ear protection you should be fine? I just wonder about the vibrations of the tools themselves, wether they could have an impact?

 

Anyone got an idea how loud certain tools are, e.g.:

How To Cut a Door Jamb

(Edit obviously that's not me; I would use hearing protection!)

And for example drilling in concrete with a small jack hammer, screwing with an impact, or sawing with a circular saw for example?

I've bought a dba meter but it seems ridiculous high; e.g. a Fein Multitool is measures a SPL of 110 stationary, 125 cutting, while the description says 84 peak. Measuring the output of my phone's loudspeaker it measures 125db while it is 85db spl as per description. Off course I use (double) hearing protection but trying to get a feeling on sound levels.

Edit where I say spl I mean swl.

 

Theres a great powerpoint presentation if you click on this link https://www.google.com/search?q=gue...rome..69i57.4383j1j7&sourceid=chrome&ie=UTF-8 and click on the top search result titled "Guess that decibel level".

The presentation says dual hearing protection is required about 105 db for people without hearing issues aka 'normal' people. I wish I read that presentation when I was 'normal'.

 

How far from the sound source do you put your sampling microphone?

 

Direct near the source in order to determine sound power level.

 

I got hearing damage from using a blunt tool in just one moment.

 

I still use power tools, but definitely with my ear plugs. None are as loud as you describe. My weed whacker is in the low 90's on the decible meter on my phone, which is uncalivrated, and may be off. The vacuum cleaner is about 85 to 87 db, and hearing protection for that too. Even started using my ear plugs with the electric razor.

No new spikes, as long as the ear plugs are not used too many times so they lose their bounce, big enough, and placed properly deep into the ear canal. It took a few months to know how to put the plugs in right.

For a louder exposure, I would agree with muffs on top, but have not needed this to date.

 

Nope.

I used to do all kinds of home remodeling with my husband...those days are gone.

 

Put the SPL meter's microphone at a distance that is in the same ballpark as where your ears are going to be. You want to know what your ears are being exposed to, not what they would be exposed to if you were to stick your ears next to the tool.

What does it read when you do that (you can use 1 meter distance for example, as it's often used for dB level measurements)?

 

I am not sure why you wouldn't pull out all stops. How difficult would it be to put on muffs? Also, not sure why anyone would willingly expose themselves to noise and to risk.

 

Approx. 99, 100 according to the db meter. As per the tool manual it is lpa 72, lwa 84 and lpcpeak 84.

And that confuses me.. is the manual wrong, or is my db meter strongly deviating...

 

More is not always better. The right protection used properly is key. My tinnitus is generally more mild than others here, and is improving for the most part. We each need to make a reasonable choice that we are comfortable with. I also do not own any muffs, although considering getting a pair as another option.

 

I am glad to hear that it is fading. You could experiment with seeing whether it would heal faster if you were to go easier on your ears, but perhaps it makes sense to just keep doing what you have been doing, as it seems to be working.

 

@Bill Bauer

Plenty easy on the ears. I am more concerned about intermittent noise exposure, such as the semi truck that blew his air horn for multiple times in the parking lot the other day. I was unprotected as was there to shop, but thankfully no spike. Never had that before.